Jobs in Chilbolton

Great ideas come from different minds. That's why we bring together engineers, scientists, analysts, and creatives from every background - and give them the trust, tools, and freedom to make a difference. What connects us is the mission: solving meaningful problems and building capability that protects what matters most.

As challenges evolve, so do we - working on the technologies that will shape tomorrow, not just today.

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement initiatives, and new product introduction activities within a highly technical engineering environment.

Primary Purpose

Drive the manufacturing aspects of New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring Design for Manufacture and Assembly principles are applied and products can be efficiently manufactured at scale.
Lead Continuous Improvement activities using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to deliver successful outcomes and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and optimise manufacturing processes to improve productivity, quality, lead times, and cost efficiency.
Identify, manage, and escalate manufacturing risks, issues, and opportunities.
Support Change Control Board activities and oversee the introduction of new parts and production information.
Maintain BOM accuracy, work instructions, test procedures, and equipment maintenance processes.
Support day-to-day production operations.
Lead and coordinate continuous improvement projects across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Delivery, and other business functions.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
Support supply chain resilience and subcontractor improvement initiatives.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers.
Maintain manufacturing facilities, ensuring compliance with safety, training, and operational requirements.
Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Education & Qualifications

Degree qualified (preferred).
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt advantageous.
Project Management qualification and relevant experience desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Proven experience leading a Manufacturing Engineering team.
Strong experience developing manufacturing processes and procedures.
Experience driving change management and continuous improvement projects.
Ability to review engineering designs for manufacturability within an electromechanical environment.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Experience monitoring and reporting project progress.
Background in low-to-medium volume electro-mechanical assembly advantageous.
Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and 8D methodologies.
Experience troubleshooting and resolving complex operational challenges.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

Personal Attributes

Detail-oriented
Proactive and self-motivated
Strong stakeholder engagement skills
Able to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
Collaborative leadership style
Results-driven problem solver

Why Apply?

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
Health, wellbeing, savings, protection, and lifestyle benefits.
Collaborative and inclusive working environment.
Opportunities to work on challenging and innovative products.
Strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and professional development.
Access to communities of practice, knowledge-sharing groups, and continuous learning opportunities.If you are passionate about manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement, and leading high-performing engineering teams, we would like to hear from you